UNESCO sites and their role in shaping climate-ready learners

The new guide contains a wealth of proposed activities, centered around UNESCO sites, for both educators and learns to explore. These include learning interactions, quizzes, simulations, and storytelling, as well as guided hikes and week-long stays at a school camp! 

Some examples are: 

In Argentina, the 12 Mar Chiquita school project revolves around the Mar Chiquita lagoon, the heart of the community. The school’s ‘Earthship’ design brings the building close to the shore and teachers engage students with workshops on gardening and lead student-led tours, fostering a deep connection to the lagoon and offering hands-on learning experiences.  

In Burkina Faso, Africa’s first Water Museum opens educational opportunities to address gender inequality in daily chores such as women spending hours fetching water – time that could be spent studying, working  or resting. Through workshops about the water cycle and the “Water and Women” space, the museum highlights this inequality, educating young people to embrace equal treatment and opportunities for all.

In the People’s Republic of China, volunteers contribute to the management and development of the Chebaling Biosphere Reserve, promoting awareness of the United Nations sustainable development Goal 13 on climate action. The project also supports disadvantaged children and their families through youth learning communities’ activities in both urban and rural settings. Additionally, it includes educational initiatives like campus-based natural science outreach and donation of natural books to schools.

In Indonesia, at Ciletuh Palabuhanratu, local communities participate in initiatives focused on Geopark conservation, education and promotion. Empowerment programmes include raising awareness about waste management, organizing beach clean-ups, offering surfing lessons for students and engaging in activities related to reducing plastic use. 

In Italy, learners are exposed to the Lagoon project, where children aged 3-5 in Venice connect with the lagoon and nature through drawing activities, collaborative games, small science experiments. Local natural scientists and artists guide children in creating papier-mâché masks inspired by lagoon animals and designing ‘nature books’.

In Yemen, students collect environmental DNA (eDNA) samples from the Socotra archipelago World Heritage site, to study ocean biodiversity and climate change impacts. Island elders nurture plans through community-led plant nurseries and mangrove replanting, which helps restore fish populations. The archipelago now serves an educational hub, showing visitors and schools about the importance, history and folklore of the mangroves on the island.